Mario Cuomo was a minor league outfielder in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization in 1952 before becoming a lawyer and politician. He hit .244 at Class D Brunswick in the Georgia-Florida League.

Before he was governor, Cuomo represented Queens residents in housing disputes, and Mayor John Lindsey appointed him to mediate when a low income public housing was to be built in a wealthier neighborhood.

“The court determines that there are special issues presented … that suggest referral to an appropriately experienced mediator, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Burton R. Lifland wrote.